“Most African companies don’t need VC” – Launch Africa’s Umem Uwemakpan

Launch Africa is arguably Africa’s most active early-stage investor. The firm started investing in African startups in 2020, and by the time it had finished deploying its $36.3 million fund, it had invested in 133 startups across 25 countries and sectors, including startups like Kuda, Omnibiz, and Julaya. 

“If you look at our first fund, 90% are still operational—an impressive rate…